Setting up your first photography website can feel overwhelming, but Squarespace Blueprint AI makes it easy by guiding you through each step. It starts by asking what your site is about—as shown in the screenshot below, you’ll select "Photography" as your category to ensure the AI tailors the design to your needs.

This guide will walk you through choosing a template, creating a portfolio, adding a booking system, starting a blog, connecting a custom domain, and optimizing for SEO—all with practical tips to help you build a site that looks professional and attracts clients.

Choosing the Right Template for Your Photography Portfolio

1. Let Blueprint AI Jump-Start Your Design

When you begin a new Squarespace site, select the option to use Blueprint AI. The AI will ask about your site’s goals, industry, and style preferences. Since you’re building a photography portfolio, you’ll want to indicate that you need a portfolio-style site to showcase images.

Based on your responses, Blueprint AI will generate a personalized site layout with a suggested color palette, fonts, and even some starter content. For example, if you prefer a modern, minimal look, the AI will preview a clean design that keeps your images front and center.

2. Pick a Template That Highlights Your Photography

Once the AI generates your site, you can choose a template manually or refine the AI’s suggestion.

The best photography-focused templates typically include:

• Full-width image banners to showcase stunning shots.

• Gallery pages for organized portfolios.

• Minimalist design to keep the focus on your work.

3. Build Your Homepage

Your homepage is the first impression visitors will get, so it should be visually striking and easy to navigate. Squarespace Blueprint AI helps by recommending sections that fit your goals—like an intro section, services overview, and a call-to-action for bookings.

Choose a layout that complements your photography style—whether that’s bold and dramatic or clean and minimalist. You can always edit the text, replace demo images, and tweak the layout later to make it uniquely yours.

4. Adding Pages to Your Site

A well-structured website makes it easy for clients to find what they need. Blueprint AI suggests essential pages like About, Contact, Services, and Appointments based on your site’s purpose.

You can add, remove, or customize these pages anytime, but starting with the recommended pages ensures you have a solid foundation. If you plan to sell prints or offer online courses, you can include Shop or Course pages as well.

5. Choosing Fonts and Colors to Match Your Style

Typography and color schemes play a huge role in your brand identity. Squarespace Blueprint AI suggests pre-selected font and color combinations based on your preferences.

• If you want a sleek, modern look, go for fonts like Space Grotesk or Syne Mono paired with a black-and-white or neutral-toned palette.

• If you prefer a bold, artistic feel, you can choose Shrikhand or Young Serif, combined with richer colors like deep blues or warm earth tones.

• Keep it cohesive! Your font and color choices should reflect your photography style—whether that’s dark and moody, clean and editorial, or playful and vibrant.

By leveraging Blueprint AI and selecting a clean photography-oriented template, you’re setting up your portfolio for success from the start. Next, let’s move on to building your portfolio pages and adding a booking system!

Setting Up a Portfolio to Showcase Your Work

With your template in place, it’s time to build out your portfolio pages. Squarespace makes it easy – you can add a Portfolio page to your site with just a few clicks​. Here’s how to organize and showcase various types of photography:

• Create a portfolio or gallery page: In the Squarespace site editor, open the Pages panel. Click the “+” to add a new page and select Portfolio (or Gallery, depending on the template). Squarespace will add a new portfolio section to your navigation. (If you used Blueprint AI, a portfolio page may already exist; you can edit that one rather than adding a new page.)

• Organize by photography type: Think about the different genres or categories of photography you do – for example, Weddings, Portraits, Landscapes, Events, etc. It’s often best to create separate gallery pages or sections for each category.

• This way, visitors (and search engines) can easily navigate your work. For instance, under your Portfolio, you might have sub-pages or sections for each type of shoot. On Squarespace, you can achieve this by adding multiple gallery sections or using a folder of pages under a main “Portfolio” menu item.

• Add your images and projects: Upload your best photographs to the appropriate gallery pages. Squarespace supports high-resolution images and will automatically create optimized versions for different screen sizes​. You can choose from layout options like grids, full-screen slideshows, lightbox pop-ups, etc., to display your work in an engaging way. Take advantage of features like setting a focal point on each image (so important parts of the photo are always centered in thumbnails)​.

• Include captions or descriptions (optional): It can be effective to include brief captions or project descriptions along with your images – for example, the location or client name, or a one-line story behind the photo. This adds context for visitors and can incorporate keywords (useful for SEO, which we’ll discuss later). Just be sure the text doesn’t overwhelm the images; keep it subtle and consistent.

By structuring your portfolio into clear sections, you make it easy for people to find what they’re looking for. A bride-to-be can jump straight to your Weddings gallery, while a potential client interested in family portraits can view your Portraits section. This organization not only improves user experience but also helps Google understand your content (boosting your SEO)​.

Practical Tip: Use descriptive titles for your galleries. For example, title a page “Wedding Photography Portfolio” rather than just “Portfolio” – this will help attract visitors searching for wedding photographers​.

Adding a Booking System to Streamline Scheduling

If you occasionally shoot gigs or want to allow clients to book sessions with you, integrating a scheduling system into your site can save you a lot of back-and-forth emails. Squarespace offers a built-in solution called Squarespace Scheduling (Acuity), which lets clients see your availability and book appointments online. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Set up your scheduling account: Squarespace Scheduling (formerly Acuity) might be included in your Squarespace plan or available as an add-on. Begin by creating an Acuity Scheduling account (you can do this via Squarespace’s interface). This tool is “our solution for clients to book appointments and classes through a Squarespace site”​. Configure your availability, appointment types (e.g. 1-hour photoshoot, 30-minute consultation), and any intake questions on the Acuity side first.

2. Add a scheduling block to your site: Navigate to the page where you want the booking calendar to appear – for example, you might create a page called “Book a Session.” In the page editor, click an insert point (the “+” button) and choose Scheduling from the block menu. Squarespace will insert a scheduling block (a calendar/booking interface) on the page​.

3. Connect your calendar: Click the pencil icon on the new Scheduling block to open its settings​. If your Squarespace account is linked to Acuity, you’ll see options to select which scheduler to display. Choose the appropriate calendar or appointment type from the dropdown – for instance, you could show your general availability, or a specific calendar for portrait sessions only​. If, for some reason, you need to use an external Acuity account not linked to Squarespace, you can select “Custom Link” and paste in your scheduler’s URL​ (though using a linked account is more seamless).

4. Customize and test: Adjust the design of the booking section if needed (Squarespace will usually match it to your site style). Save your changes, then test the booking flow as if you were a client – click on a date, select a time slot, and see that the booking form works. All Acuity plans support embedding the scheduler on Squarespace (note: if you’re on a free Acuity plan outside of Squarespace, embedded booking isn’t supported, but any Squarespace-linked plan will work)​. Make sure you receive the confirmation emails or notifications as expected.

With your scheduling system in place, clients can conveniently book shoots 24/7 through your website. This not only streamlines your workflow but also gives a professional touch – your site can “attract new customers and allow clients to book your services” automatically​.

Practical Tip: If you prefer to vet inquiries before confirming a booking, you could instead use a simple contact form for inquiries. However, using online scheduling will save time once you’re comfortable with it. You can always set buffer times, require approval for appointments, or password-protect your scheduling page if you want control over who can book​.

Creating a Basic Blog to Engage Visitors and Improve SEO

Adding a blog to your photography site is highly beneficial. It gives you a place to share stories and updates, show your personality, and incorporate fresh content that can boost your search engine visibility. Even a simple blog that you update occasionally can make a difference. Here’s how to get started:

Add a Blog page

In your Squarespace editor’s Pages panel, click the “+” and choose Blog to add a blog section to your site (Squarespace might call it “Blog” or “News” depending on the template, but it’s the same thing). This will create a blog page where you can publish posts. The template likely includes a sample post you can edit or delete. Customize the layout if desired – for example, you can typically choose between a classic blog list or grid of posts. (Blueprint AI might have added a blog page if you indicated you wanted one during setup; if so, you can use the existing one.)

Start posting content

Think of your blog as an extension of your portfolio – it’s a space to engage visitors with more depth than a caption or gallery can provide. You might post behind-the-scenes looks at recent shoots, tips for clients (e.g. “How to Prepare for a Photoshoot”), personal projects, or highlights from events. For instance, you could write articles like “5 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Wedding Photoshoot Location” or “Before and After: How I Edit My Portraits”. Not only do these posts provide value to readers, they also naturally allow you to include relevant keywords (like wedding photoshoot, portrait editing, etc.) which helps with SEO​.

Keep it simple and authentic

You don’t need to be a professional writer – just write in your own voice as if speaking to a client. A short 300-500 word post with a few images can be enough. The key is consistency; try to publish new posts periodically (e.g. once a month) so that your site stays active. Each new post is a fresh opportunity to “naturally incorporate keywords, which helps your site rank higher in search engines”. Plus, it shows potential clients that you’re active and passionate about your work.

Engage and share

Enable commenting on your blog if you’d like to encourage interaction (Squarespace lets you use its own comment system or integrate Disqus). And be sure to share your blog posts on your social media accounts to drive more traffic to your site. According to one Squarespace designer, “A blog connects you in a personal way with your clients and online visitors.” It helps people get to know the person behind the lens, which can be a deciding factor in choosing a photographer.

From an SEO perspective, a blog is one of the best tools for a local business. In fact, Squarespace’s own local SEO guide recommends creating a dedicated blog page to share your knowledge and story​. Over time, your posts (especially if they mention your locale or niche) can attract local visitors searching for those topics. So, a basic blog isn’t just for fun – it’s a strategic asset for growing your audience and climbing search rankings.

Registering a Domain and Linking It to Your Squarespace Site

Nothing says “professional website” like a custom domain name. Squarespace gives you a temporary free subdomain (something like yourname.squarespace.com), but you’ll want to use your own .com (or other) address for your photography site. For example, if your name is Jane Doe, a domain like janedoephotography.com will be easy for clients to remember and find.

Choose and register a domain

Brainstorm a good domain that reflects your business or name. It could be your business name, your personal name + photography, or something brandable. Inside Squarespace, you can search for available domain names directly. Go to Settings > Domains (or the Domains section in your account dashboard) and use the search tool. Squarespace will show if your preferred name is available and the annual price. If the name you want is taken, try variations or other extensions – Squarespace even offers a Domain Name Generator to help brainstorm ideas​.

Once you find an available domain you like, you can purchase it through Squarespace with a few clicks. (Many Squarespace annual plans include one free domain for the first year – check if your plan offers this perk.)

Connect the domain to your site

If you buy the domain via Squarespace, it will be linked to your website automatically. Squarespace’s guide notes that building your site “starts with two key steps: picking a template and connecting a custom domain name.”

If you already have a domain from a third-party registrar (like GoDaddy or Namecheap), you can still use it – you’ll just need to connect it. In Squarespace, add the domain by choosing “Use a domain I own” and follow the instructions. Typically, you’ll log in to your domain registrar and update the DNS settings (two CNAME records and some A records that Squarespace provides). Squarespace’s help center provides step-by-step guidance for all major registrars, and once you update the records, your site will be accessible at that domain (it may take a few hours to propagate globally).

Finalize domain settings

After linking, make sure your new domain is set as the primary domain for the site (so that your Squarespace subdomain redirects to it, not vice-versa). You’ll find this option in the Domains settings on Squarespace. Also consider enabling SSL (should be on by default) so that your site loads securely over https://. Squarespace handles the SSL certificate for you.

Now your site will be reachable at your custom web address! Using a custom domain is important for branding and credibility – clients will expect a photographer’s site to have its own domain. It also can help with SEO: a domain that clearly matches your business/name might be more memorable and click-worthy in search results. Once your domain is connected, share your website link on your social media, business cards, and Google Business Profile (more on that next) to drive traffic.

SEO Best Practices for Local Search and Attracting Local Leads

With your site up and running, let’s ensure people in your local area can actually find you. As a photographer doing work “on the side,” you likely want to attract inquiries from nearby clients (e.g., folks in your city or region looking for a photographer). Here are some SEO best practices focused on local search:

• Include local keywords in your site content: Throughout your website, naturally mention the areas you serve. For example, if you’re based in Bridgeport, CT, make sure your homepage or About page says “Photographer in Bridgeport, Connecticut” or similar. If you have separate pages for each service (weddings, portraits, etc.), include location cues there too. A great example from another photographer: on her Wedding Photography page she writes “Capturing authentic, timeless wedding photos in Middle Georgia, South Carolina, and beyond...” – this kind of blurb packs in relevant local keywords while still sounding natural​. Such location-specific terms help your site appear in searches like “wedding photographer in [Your City]”.

• Optimize page titles and descriptions: Make sure each page of your site has a descriptive title (the text that shows in browser tabs and Google results). Instead of a generic “Home”, use something like “Jane Doe Photography – Bridgeport Portrait & Wedding Photographer”. Likewise, fill out the SEO description fields in Squarespace for each page with one or two sentences that include your location and what you do. This tells search engines exactly what your site is about. Descriptive gallery names (as mentioned earlier) also contribute here – e.g., “Wedding Photography Portfolio” is not only user-friendly but also keyword-rich​.

• Optimize your images: As a photographer, images are your content – so make them work for your SEO too. Squarespace allows you to add alt text for each image (a brief text description). Use this to describe the photo in a way that includes location or genre keywords when relevant. For example: alt text for a photo could be “Bride and groom at Seaside Park wedding in Bridgeport”. This way, if someone searches for “Seaside Park Bridgeport wedding photos,” your image could surface, and it tells Google your page is relevant to Bridgeport weddings. Also, ensure your images are not too large in file size (Squarespace handles a lot of this by creating optimized versions) so your site loads quickly – page speed is another SEO factor. Finally, consider naming your image files descriptively before uploading (e.g., bridgeport-wedding-photo1.jpg instead of DSC_1234.jpg). All these little steps improve your SEO behind the scenes.

• Claim your Google Business Profile: One of the most powerful moves for local SEO is setting up a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). This is what makes you show up in Google Maps and the local 3-pack of search results (the map and listings that appear for local searches). Claiming your profile is free – you just sign up on Google and verify your business (you can list yourself as a service-area business if you don’t have a storefront). Optimizing your Google Business Profile helps your business stand out in local search results and Google Maps searches​. Be sure to fill in your contact info, link to your new website, add a description (“Lifestyle photographer serving the Bridgeport, CT area” for example), and select relevant categories (e.g. Photographer, Wedding Photographer). Encourage some of your early clients to leave you a review on Google – positive reviews can boost your local ranking and build trust (people almost always read reviews before choosing a photographer)​.

• List yourself in local directories: Apart from Google, consider listing your photography services on other local platforms. This could include Yelp, Bing Places, or local business directories specific to your town or region. Ensure your Name, Address, Phone (NAP) information is consistent across all these listings and your website. Being on reputable directories improves your local search visibility and can provide valuable backlinks to your site​. For example, a listing on a “Connecticut Photographers” directory that links to your site can indirectly help your SEO.

• Leverage social media and community: While social media itself isn’t a direct SEO ranking factor, it does help drive traffic and signals that you’re an active business. Link your Instagram, Facebook, or other social profiles to your website (and vice versa)​. Post your work and use local hashtags or location tags (e.g., #BridgeportPhotography) to reach local audiences. Additionally, if possible, network with local businesses – for instance, a wedding photographer might partner with local venues or planners. These partnerships could lead to referral traffic and sometimes backlinks (a venue might list recommended photographers on their site). Squarespace’s SEO guide suggests collaborating with related businesses for exposure to new audiences​. The more your name pops up around the web in connection to your locale, the more authority you’ll build in local search.

By implementing these practices, you’ll increase your chances of showing up in local searches and attracting leads nearby. Local SEO is all about relevance and reputation in a specific area. In summary: focus on clear, keyword-rich content on your site (especially mentioning your services and location), make sure Google knows you exist (via Google Business Profile), and encourage happy clients to spread the word (through reviews and links). Over time, these steps can significantly improve your visibility to people searching for photographers in your area, helping you turn your website visitors into real-life clients​.

Congratulations – you now have a simple, effective Squarespace website for your photography portfolio! By choosing a suitable template (with a little AI help), showcasing your work in organized galleries, enabling easy bookings, blogging occasionally, using a custom domain, and practicing good SEO, you’ve built a strong online foundation for your photography side business. Remember to keep your site updated with new photos and info as you grow. With Squarespace’s user-friendly tools and the Blueprint AI, you’re in control – so you can focus on what you love: taking great photos. Happy shooting, and good luck with your new website! 📸✨